![\"\"](\"http:\/\/blueheronhealthnews.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/12\/drinking-soda-300x204.jpg\" "\\"drinking-soda\\"")
The food industry LOVES High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS) and for a good reason. It\u2019s a very cheap sweetener that prolongs shelf life, prevents sugar from crystallizing in drinks, makes bakery goods look golden and delicious and has several great effects on frozen food.<\/p>\n
There is only one small catch. According to many researchers, HFCS may be the main factor behind several deadly diseases and deaths. This includes, among others, type 2 diabetes, obesity, heart attack, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, arthritis and so much more.<\/p>\n
So in today\u2019s feature article, I\u2019m going to discuss exactly how HFCS differs from regular sugar, if the claims against HFCS are true and if so, why HFCS is so dangerous.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re at least concerned about your health, please read on and make your comments at the end.<\/p>\n
You may have been aware of the two main arguments between the sugar industry and the HFCS industry. One is if HFCS may actually change its name to \u201ccorn sugar\u201d (ie, if it\u2019s the same as sugar), and the other if HFCS may be labeled as \u201cnatural.\u201d<\/p>\n
The sugar industry doesn\u2019t want to give up the \u201csugar\u201d name because they rightfully point out that there are clear molecular differences between sugar and HFCS and that the body processes them in a different way.<\/p>\n
You see, as sugar contains a natural 50\/50 balance of glucose and fructose, HFCS in its first stages only contains glucose, and needs to be altered using enzymes to change some of the glucose into fructose. The end result is about 55% fructose and 42% glucose. This is actually closer to the build up of honey and one of the reasons much of the commercially processed honey sold in supermarkets is actually mostly HFCS\u2026. without any of the health benefits of organic honey.<\/p>\n
There have also been several studies supporting the claim that HFCS is processed differently by the body than sugar. The most famous one made by Princeton University that found that in groups of lab rats raised on either sugar or HFCS, the ones eating HFCS gained significantly more weight. Researchers speculated that HFCS may interfere with metabolism.<\/p>\n
Several companies have faced law suit threats when using the wording \u201call natural\u201d for food products including HFCS. Most of those companies, like 7-Up and Capri Sun, have removed the all natural labels instead of facing court. I\u2019m sure it takes more than a smile to get companies like that to change their label. More like a firm warning from a convincing legal department. Many soda companies are now turning the tables and going back to \u201cnatural soda\u201d brands that contain original cane or beet sugar instead of HFCS.<\/p>\n
In a court case that did go through against Snapple, Inc., the judge rejected the case. Not because he said HFCS was \u201call natural\u201d but because it is the FDA\u2019s role to define \u201call natural,\u201d not the court.<\/p>\n
But the FDA has fluctuated greatly in its view regarding HFCS and its status as natural. First, giving a statement they would object against using the term “natural” for products including HFCS. Then, later on stating they again would only object to using the term \u201cnatural\u201d if HFCS is processed using synthetic substances such as synthetic fixing agents.<\/p>\n
So what are these \u201csynthetic fixing agents\u201d FDA is talking about? Doesn\u2019t sound too bad does it? <\/p>\n
It\u2019s not that simple and here\u2019s why you\u2019d want to re-think that.<\/p>\n
Have you ever heard of a chemical called \u201cglutaraldehyde?\u201d Don\u2019t worry if you don\u2019t, it\u2019s not a usual product you\u2019d buy in nearby supermarket. You could, however, buy a 10% solution of glutaraldehyde for wart removal (due to extreme burning effects on human flesh). <\/p>\n
The main use for glutaraldehyde is to disinfect tools in the health care system. In fact, despite it\u2019s toxic effects, it\u2019s so much used that glutaraldehyde is listed as one of two main causes of asthma among health care providers. It can also cause severe eye, nose, throat, and lung irritation, along with headaches, drowsiness and dizziness. <\/p>\n
Now this deadly chemical is often used to transfer corn into HFCS and this is one of the chemicals FDA was talking about when they say if it\u2019s used, HFCS could not be considered natural.<\/p>\n
On the other hand, mercury and the serious health risk of mercury built up in the body is well known. At Blue Heron Health News we often receive questions regarding what fish contain the most mercury and therefore should be avoided.<\/p>\n
But did you know that up to half of all HFCS contains significant amounts of mercury? This was documented by researchers at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy and published in the journal Environmental Health. <\/p>\n
Not all HFCS contains these and other dangerous chemicals. There are ways to process HFCS more naturally. But these methods cost more and the fact is there are very limited methods to find out if the HFCS you\u2019re consuming is naturally processed unless it\u2019s clearly stated on the label.<\/p>\n
So to be on the safe side, assume that if you consume HFCS, you\u2019re swallowing down some mercury and medical disinfecting agents with it. Yummy!<\/p>\n
If we forget about any chemical or metabolic difference between sugar and HFCS, there is another thing that makes this \u201cwonder product\u201d even more dangerous.<\/p>\n
In fact, it\u2019s the great benefits the food industry LOVES about HFCS that should be the reason why you may want to avoid it at all cost.<\/p>\n
You see, any kind of sweeteners in large consumption is unhealthy. Sugar, (just like HFCS) turns into fat, spikes your blood sugar<\/a>, can ruin your metabolism, causes inflammation and free radicals, and raises cholesterol level<\/a> and high blood pressure<\/a>.<\/p>\n Now since HFCS is so cheap and so effective to make food look beautiful and stay fresh for a long, long time, HFCS is now found in EVERYTHING from sodas to pizza dough and bakery goods, to ice-cream or even meat. Almost any kind of processed food includes HFCS.<\/p>\n And by having HFCS included in everything, you automatically consume sweeteners in everything you eat and therefore more sugars (in one way or another) and LOTS of calories. <\/p>\n It\u2019s no coincidence that sugar (HFCS) consumption skyrocketed after the mid 80s when HFCS took off. And surprisingly, that was exactly the time obesity took off in America as well as type 2 diabetes. The three components seem to go hand in hand in hand.<\/p>\n It\u2019s no secret that USA has the biggest percentage of obesity anywhere in the world. USA is also the biggest consumer of HFCS. It really hasn\u2019t taken off in the same way anywhere else in the world as in USA. Again coincidence? I think not.<\/p>\n So the main problem is not that HFCS is worse or less natural than cane and beet sugar (although it probably is) but that since it\u2019s in everything, we\u2019re eating more of it and it\u2019s harder to avoid it.<\/p>\n This is a complicated issue and I really appreciate your input in our comment boxes below.<\/p>\n More info on managing type 2 diabetes naturally, click here\u2026<\/a><\/p>\nYou can handle some sweets but too much is too much.<\/h3>\n